Portable multifunctional smoking utensil holder and kit

ABSTRACT

A portable multifunctional smoking utensil holder and kit is disclosed that may include a holder for smoking utensils that includes a lower portion; and an upper portion that is pivotably attached to the lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes a first compartment that is configured to slidably and removably receive a pipe therein for storing the pipe; a second compartment that is configured to store a leafy substance therein; and a third compartment that is open to the second compartment, the third compartment including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion configured to slidably receive the pipe therein, the second portion including a grinding mechanism that is configured to transfer and grind substances from the second compartment into the third compartment when the grinding mechanism is actuated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application relates to, and is a continuation from, U.S. Ser. No.14/820,053 filed Aug. 6, 2015, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIGURE SELECTED FOR PUBLICATION

FIG. 3.

BACKGROUND Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure generally relates to paraphernalia and utensilsfor facilitating smoking, and more particularly to a portable smokingutensil holder and a kit including the holder and utensils thatfacilitate a variety of functions related to storing and using smokingutensils.

Description of the Related Art

Preparing a homemade cigarette that includes tobacco or another leafycombustible substance (e.g., legal medical marijuana) is typicallysomething that cannot be done when on the move. For example, looseleaves, rolling paper, lighters, etc. are cumbersome and not easilytransported in a smoker's pocket.

As a result, smokers typically buy ready-made cigarettes or preparecigarettes or the like prior to traveling. It would be advantageous ifthere existed portable devices that would facilitate smoking homemadecigarettes without requiring a lot of preparation.

Consequently, there is a continuing need for portable equipment thatwould facilitate smoking.

ASPECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a holder for smoking utensils, which may include alower portion; and an upper portion that is pivotably attached to thelower portion. The lower portion may include a first compartment that isconfigured to slidably and removably receive a pipe therein for storingthe pipe; a second compartment that is configured to store a leafysubstance therein; and a third compartment that is open to the secondcompartment. The third compartment may include a first portion and asecond portion, and the first portion may be configured to slidablyreceive the pipe therein. The second portion may include a grindingmechanism that is configured to transfer and grind substances from thesecond compartment into the third compartment when the grindingmechanism is actuated. The grinding mechanism may be rotatable about anaxis extending lengthwise through the third compartment, and rotation ofthe grinding mechanism may be configured to cause substances within thesecond compartment to be ground and transferred to the first portion ofthe third compartment. The second compartment may be configured toreceive a lighter therein. One or more apertures for receiving picks maybe formed in the lower portion.

A biasing member (e.g., a spring) may bias the upper and lower portionstoward one another or away from one another such that the upper portionis spring-loaded. A locking mechanism (e.g., a latch) may maintain theupper and lower portions in a closed position relative to one another,and upon release of the locking mechanism, the upper portion mayautomatically pivot toward an open position relative to the lowermember. At least one of the upper and lower portions may include amirrored portion.

The pipe may include one or more segments that are separable from oneanother to facilitate cleaning. Moreover, the pipe may include a filterelement. One or more of the segments of the pipe may include a filter. Amagnet may releasably couple the pipe to an aperture within the lowerportion for convenient and secure storage of the pipe within theaperture such that a sufficient and predetermined force is needed todecouple the pipe from the aperture in which it is placed. Alternativelyor additionally, the pipe may frictionally engage the aperture such thata sufficient and predetermined force is needed to slide the pipe outfrom the aperture in which it is placed.

The second compartment may include a funnel that is configured tofacilitate loading the leafy substance within the second compartment.The funnel may be transitionable between a stored condition in which itis fully placed within the second compartment and a deployed conditionin which it is partially placed outside of the second compartment. Aninterior of the second compartment is viewable from an exterior of theholder, thereby providing an indicator window through which the amountof product contained within the second compartment is readilyascertainable.

A kit for smoking may include the holder for smoking utensils describedabove, and may further include a pipe that is configured to be receivedwithin the first compartment, and a lighter that is configured to beremovably coupled and received within the second compartment. The lowerportion may includes one or more apertures for receiving picks formed inthe lower portion, and the kit may further include one or more picksthat are configured to be received in respective ones of the one or moreapertures for receiving picks.

Tactile sensations and sounds may be provided during the operation ofthe holder and kit. For example, opening and closing the upper and lowerportions relative to one another may provide a clicking sound or thelike. Similarly, removal of the pipe may also provide a clicking soundor the like. Such sounds may provide an audible confirmation, forexample, that the upper portion is in an open position relative to thelower portion or that the upper and lower portions are in a closedposition. Advantageously, this may reduce the likelihood that a usermay, for example accidentally place the holder within the user's pocketwhen the upper and lower portions are in an open position relative toone another.

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumerals designate the same elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a smoking device in accordance with thepresent disclosure shown in a closed condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the smoking device of FIG. 1 shown in anopen condition;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the smoking device of FIG. 1 shown with avariety of utensils;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the smoking device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional, see-through view of the smokingdevice of FIG. 1 taken along sectional line A-A, and shown with agrinding mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a pipe;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the pipe of FIG. 6 shown with partsseparated;

FIG. 8 is a front view of picks in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional, see-through view of the smokingdevice of FIG. 1 taken along sectional line A-A, and shown with agrinding mechanism and a lighter;

FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional, see-through view of the smokingdevice in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure;and

FIG. 11 is a front view of a funnel in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure.Wherever possible, same or similar reference numerals are used in thedrawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts orsteps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale.The word ‘couple’ and similar terms do not necessarily denote direct andimmediate connections, but also include connections through intermediateelements or devices. For purposes of convenience and clarity only,directional (up/down, etc.) or motional (forward/back, etc.) terms maybe used with respect to the drawings. These and similar directionalterms should not be construed to limit the scope in any manner. It willalso be understood that other embodiments may be utilized withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention, and that the detaileddescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and that elementsmay be differently positioned, or otherwise noted as in the appendedclaims without requirements of the written description being requiredthereto. The term ‘proximal’ refers to a side or end that would be closeto the user during use and the term ‘distal’ refers to a side or endthat would be farther from the user during use.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments ofthe present invention; however, the order of description should not beconstrued to imply that these operations are order dependent.

Various embodiments of a smoking device are described herein withreference to FIGS. 1-11.

One embodiment of a smoking device will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 1-5.

Smoking device 100 may include a smoking utensil holder 101 a lowerportion 110 and an upper portion 120, which may include a mirror 121 ona surface thereof. In particular, as shown in FIG. 2, the mirror 121 maybe disposed on an inner surface of the upper portion 120. The lowerportion 110 and the upper portion 120 may be pivotably connected to eachother via a hinge H. Mating locking parts 110L on the lower portion 110and 120L on the upper portion may engage one another to maintain thelower and upper portions 110, 120 in a locked configuration, and may beopened by depressing a button 111 that releases the locking parts 110L,120L. The lower portion 110 includes an outer housing 110 h that mayinclude a generally cylindrical aperture 112 which may be configured toreceive a pipe 200 along its length.

The outer housing 110 h may also include one or more cylindricalapertures 113 a, 113 b that may each receive a pick 302, 304 (FIG. 8)that are configured to facilitate cleaning of the pipe 200. Windows (notshown) may be formed in the outer housing 110 h, near a proximal end ofthe outer housing 110 h, to facilitate removal of the picks 302, 304therefrom. Any or all of the picks 302, 304 and pipe 200 may bereleasably secured within respective apertures 113 a, 113 b, 112 via amagnetic or friction fit connection. Alternatively, the picks 302, 304and pipe 200 may be releasably secured via a spring fit.

The outer housing 110 h may include a compartment 114 that is configuredto receive therein an inner housing 115 that includes a compartment 116in which a leafy, combustible material or substances (e.g., tobacco orthe like) may be placed. A door 117 may provide access to thecompartment 116 for inserting, removing, or cleaning substances from thecompartment 116. The door 117 may be slidable along or againstdirectional arrow X to open or close the compartment 116, respectively.The inner housing 115 may also include a cylindrical aperture 118 whichmay include a grinding mechanism 130 that may include a screw 132 thatis configured to direct substances from the compartment 116 in an upwarddirection, a cutter 133 that is configured to cut or grind thesubstance, and a filter/cutter 134 that is configured to allow particlesof a particle size into the proximal area of the cylindrical aperture118, and a rotatable wheel 135. The grinding mechanism 130 may beremoved and replaced with another grinding mechanism 130 that issubstantially the same but that is configured to grind product (e.g.,leafy substance such as tobacco or the like) into a different coarseness(e.g., more fine or less fine).

An indicator window W including an aperture formed in the outer housing110 h and a clear or transparent material (e.g., glass or plastic) whichis fitted within the aperture may facilitate viewing the inner housing115. The inner housing 115 may be formed at least partially from a clearor transparent material such that product contained within thecompartment 116 is viewable via the window W to provide an indication ofhow much product is contained therein.

As shown in FIG. 7, to facilitate cleaning of the pipe 200, the pipe 200may be formed from a plurality of inter-lockable or connectable tubes202, 204, 206, which may be releasably locked together via a screwthreading 202 a, 204 a, which are configured to engage correspondingthreading (not shown) of adjacent tubes 204, 206, respectively. Washers207 may be fitted between adjacent ones of the tubes 202, 204, 206. Oneor more of the tubes 202, 204, 206 may include a filter (e.g., element208 may serve as a filter), which may be removable and disposed withinrespective ones of the tubes 202, 204, 206. The element 208, which issecured at an end of the tube 206, may be configured to include a sharp,coarse or rough surface such that it may function as a grinder or moverto cut or break up or move under transfer force a product, e.g., a leafysubstance such as tobacco or the like. The most proximal tube 202 may befitted with a filter. The filter(s) may be a metal mesh-like material ormay be formed from any suitable fibrous material that is configured tofilter out fine particles in the smoke, and may be removable and/orreplaceable after use.

As shown in FIG. 8, the picks 302, 304, which may have different lengthsand/or thicknesses, may have a generally tapered distal end 302 a, 304,respectively, that may be used to clean ashes and the like from the pipe200. A latch 302 b, 304 b may serve to releasably secure the picks 302,304, respectively, within a corresponding locking structure (not shown)within the apertures 113 a, 113 b. The ends 302 c, 304 c of respectiveones of the picks 302, 304 may be magnetically attracted to theapertures 113 a, 113 b within which they are placed or may instead oradditionally be frictionally secured within the respective apertures 113a, 113 b. A spring (not shown) may be within respective ones of theapertures 113 a, 113 b such that when pushing the picks 302, 304 furtherinto the apertures 113 a, 113 b the latches 302 b, 304 b decouple fromthe respective latching structures within the apertures 113 a, 113 b,whereupon the spring would push the picks 302, 304 outward from theirrespective apertures 113 a, 113 b.

During operation, the smoking device 100 may have audio effectscorresponding with the particular action being performed. For example,when rotating the wheel 135 of the grinding mechanism 130, there may bea corresponding clicking sound. Also, for example, when opening theupper portion 120 relative to the lower portion 110, there may be apleasing opening sound, which may be caused by actuating a biasingmechanism (e.g., a spring) (not shown), which may be operatively coupledto the hinge H pivotably connecting the upper and lower portions 120,110.

A smoking kit may include various implements or utensils (e.g., picks302, 304, pipe 200) that are stored within the utensil holder 101.Further, as shown in FIG. 9, a lighter 160 may be removably orpermanently press-fit into a proximal end of the compartment 116. Withthe lighter 160 placed within the compartment 116, access to thecompartment 116 may still be gained via the door 117.

In another embodiment, a smoking device 100A that is substantiallysimilar to the smoking device 100 may include a dividing wall 210 thatseparates the compartment into an upper or proximal compartment and alower or distal compartment 116 p, 116 d, respectively, such that twodifferent substances may be stored within the compartments 116 p, 116 dwithout being mixed. A plurality if apertures 212 may extend between awall that divides the cylindrical apertures 116, 118 to facilitateinsertion of the pipe 200 through the aperture 118, for example, byreducing the likelihood that air pressure from the piston-like action ofthe insertion of the pipe into the aperture 118 would inhibit suchinsertion.

During use, a leafy substance (e.g., tobacco, legal medical marijuana orthe like) may be stored within the compartment 116. The rotatable wheel135 may be turned, which causes the screw 132 to upwardly translate thesubstance from the compartment up towards the cutter 133 and through thefilter 134. The pipe 200 may then be removed from the cylindricalaperture 112 and inserted into the cylindrical aperture 118 to jam orpack the grounded substance into the pipe 200. As more substance isdesired to be loaded into the pipe 200, the wheel 135 may be rotateddirecting more ground substance into the aperture 118 where the pipe 200loads the ground substance by pressing the pipe 200 into the aperture118. Thereafter, the substance may be heated or set afire by using theprovided lighter 160. After use, the pipe 200 may be cleaned using theprovided picks 302, 304 and/or may be disassembled. After use, the pipe200 may once again be stored within the aperture 112.

Loading of product (e.g., a leafy substance such as tobacco, legalmedical marijuana, or the like) within the compartment 116 may befacilitated via a funnel 116 f, as shown in FIG. 11, which has a taperedshape in an inlet end 116 i is wider than an outlet end 116 o. Thefunnel 116 f may be removably or fixedly placed within the compartmentvia a force-fit or interference fit relationship. The funnel 116 f maybe formed from a compressible material having shape memory properties(e.g., a rubber or a polymer). The outlet end 116 o of the funnel 116may be placed deeper within the compartment 116 than its inlet end 116i, and the funnel 116 may be placed at or near the bottom of thecompartment 116 that is covered by cover 117. When the cover 117 movedto open the compartment 116, the outlet end 116 o of the funnel 116 fmay transition to an expanded condition out from the compartment 116,and when the cover 117 is moved to seal or close the compartment 116,the outlet end 1160 of the funnel 116 f may be pushed inwardly into theinterior of the compartment 116. Slits, seams, or areas of stressconcentration 116 s may be formed within the funnel 116 f such thatfolding or pushing of the funnel 116 f into the compartment 116 may bemore easily achieved.

Having described at least one of the preferred embodiments of thepresent disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, it willbe apparent to those skills that the invention is not limited to thoseprecise embodiments, and that various modifications and variations canbe made in the presently disclosed system without departing from thescope or spirit of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the presentdisclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosureprovided they come within the scope of the appended claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holder system for smoking utensils, comprising:a lower portion; and an upper portion that is pivotably attached to thelower portion via a hinge, the upper and lower portions having agenerally rectangular shape; and a locking mechanism that is configuredto transition the lower portion and the upper portion between a closedconfiguration with respect to one another and an open configuration withrespect to one another, a biasing member biasing the upper and lowerportions away from one another when in the open configuration, the lowerand upper portions comprising mating locking parts that releasablysecure the upper and lower portions to one another when in the closedconfiguration, wherein the lower portion comprises: a first compartmentthat is configured to slidably and removably receive a pipe therein forstoring the pipe; a second compartment that is configured to store aleafy substance therein; and a third compartment that is open to thesecond compartment, the third compartment including a first portion anda second portion, the first portion configured to slidably receive thepipe therein, the second portion including a movement mechanism that isconfigured to transfer said substances from the second compartment intothe third compartment when the transfer mechanism is actuated, thegrinding mechanism comprising: a helical screw extending longitudinallyalong a first section of a length of the second portion, the firstsection being adjacent to a second section of the second portion, thesecond section having a tapered shape to direct substances containedtherein toward the helical screw; a rotatable wheel being operativelycoupled to the helical screw to effect rotation of the helical screwwhen the rotatable wheel is rotated, the rotatable wheel being generallyflush with respect to a lateral surface of lower portion; and a filterbeing disposed between the helical screw and the second section of thesecond portion.
 2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the second compartmentincludes a funnel that is configured to facilitate loading the leafysubstance within the second compartment, the funnel being configured tobe transitioned between a stored condition in which it is fully placedwithin the second compartment and a deployed condition in which it ispartially placed outside of the second compartment.
 3. The holder ofclaim 1, wherein the grinding mechanism is rotatable about an axisextending lengthwise through the third compartment, and wherein rotationof the grinding mechanism is configured to cause substances within thesecond compartment to be ground and transferred to the first portion ofthe third compartment.
 4. The holder of claim 1, further comprising alighter removably secured within the second compartment.
 5. The holderof claim 1, wherein the lower portion further comprises one or moreapertures for receiving picks along their lengths, wherein a latchedconnection between each respective aperture and each respective pickreleasably secures the the pick within the aperture.
 6. The holder ofclaim 1, further comprising an indicator window through which aninterior of the second compartment is viewable from an exterior of theholder.
 7. A kit for a smoking system, comprising: a pick; a holder forsmoking utensils, the holder comprising: a lower portion; and an upperportion that is pivotably attached to the lower portion via a hinge, theupper and lower portions having a generally rectangular shape; and alocking mechanism that is configured to transition the lower portion andthe upper portion between a closed configuration with respect to oneanother and an open configuration with respect to one another, a biasingmember biasing the upper and lower portions away from one another whenin the open configuration, the lower and upper portions comprisingmating locking parts that releasably secure the upper and lower portionsto one another when in the closed configuration, wherein the lowerportion comprises: a first compartment that is configured to slidablyand removably receive a pipe therein for storing the pipe; a secondcompartment that is configured to store a leafy substance therein; and athird compartment that is open to the second compartment, the thirdcompartment including a first portion and a second portion, the firstportion configured to slidably receive the pipe therein, the secondportion including a movement mechanism that is configured to transfersubstances from the second compartment into the third compartment whenthe movement mechanism is actuated, the movement mechanism comprising: ahelical screw extending longitudinally along a first section of a lengthof the second portion, the first section being adjacent to a secondsection of the second portion, the second section having a tapered shapeto direct substances contained therein toward the helical screw; arotatable wheel being operatively coupled to the helical screw to effectrotation of the helical screw when the rotatable wheel is rotated, therotatable being generally flush with respect to a lateral surface oflower portion; and a filter being disposed between the helical screw andthe second section of the second portion; and one or more apertures forreceiving said pick along its length, wherein a latched connectionbetween the aperture and the tool releasably secures the tool within theaperture; and a pipe that is configured to be received within the firstcompartment.
 8. The kit of claim 7, further comprising: a lighter thatis configured to be received within the second compartment.
 9. The kitof claim 7, wherein the pipe includes a plurality of sections that areremovably coupled to one another.
 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein atleast one of the sections of the pipe includes a removable filter. 11.The kit of claim 7, further comprising a mirror that is disposed on aninner surface of the upper portion.